Software Engineering Manager

KO2 Embedded Recruitment Solutions Ltd; Newton Aycliffe; On-site; GBP 59,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

KO2 Embedded Recruitment Solutions Ltd. is sourcing a Software Engineering Manager in the Newton Aycliffe area to lead an embedded software group delivering connected home automation systems.

You will mentor a team of up to eight engineers, drive SDLC governance, and maintain high standards across embedded C/C++, RTOS and IoT integration while collaborating with electronics and product teams.

Qualifications

• Industrial experience managing software development teams through genuine technical complexity.
• Direct experience developing embedded software and firmware in industrial or consumer environments.
• Hands-on experience with embedded C/C++, RTOS environments and hardware/software integration.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor and develop the software engineering team, overseeing the complete SDLC from concept to deployment and support.
• Provide technical leadership across embedded systems and IoT projects, aligning with electronics and product design teams.

Skills

Team leadership

Software architecture

Agile/Scrum/DevOps

Embedded C/C++

Stakeholder management

Communication

Tools

RTOS environments

Embedded C/C++

Python

MQTT

Azure

AWS

Job description

Software Engineering Manager

Newton Aycliffe

KO2's client is a fast-growing technology company based in Newton Aycliffe, specialising in innovative connected home automation systems. They're recruiting a Software Engineering Manager to lead their software engineering function as they expand their product portfolio and market presence.

You'll be leading a team of up to eight software and firmware engineers, combining hands-on technical expertise with genuine people leadership and strategic thinking. This is an opportunity to shape the future direction of software engineering within a genuinely innovative organisation delivering products that make a real-world impact.

The Role

You'll lead, mentor and develop your software engineering team, overseeing the complete software development lifecycle from concept through to deployment and support. You'll provide technical leadership across embedded systems and connected IoT projects, work closely with multidisciplinary teams including electronics and product design, and ensure compliance with relevant quality and regulatory standards. You'll champion engineering best practice, support customer engagement and business development opportunities, and drive continuous improvement and innovation within your team.

What we are looking for

Industrial experience managing software development teams through genuine technical complexity. Strong understanding of software architecture, systems design and development lifecycle management. Direct experience developing embedded software and firmware in industrial or consumer environments. Working knowledge of Agile, Scrum and DevOps. Hands-on experience with embedded C/C++, RTOS environments and hardware/software integration. Strong stakeholder management and communication skills. Genuine ability to coach, develop and inspire technical engineers.

Desirable experience includes IoT systems and home automation platforms, cybersecurity for connected devices, GDPR compliance, cloud platforms such as Azure or AWS, machine learning technologies, embedded Linux, Python, MQTT or FPGA development, or background in consumer electronics.

The Details

Location: Newton Aycliffe, County Durham (office-based)

Salary: £65,000 per annum

Team size: Up to eight engineers

You're an engineer first and a manager second. You've managed teams through technical complexity, you understand what it takes to ship products, and you genuinely care about developing your people. You're pragmatic about engineering practices and willing to challenge decisions if you think they're wrong